Sara from Santa Clara, CA

09/20/2017

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 of 16

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Students that need an online option have a lot to be wary of these days, with so many online degree mills and outright scams. Luckily, TESU is wonderful for online students because of the transferable credits, regional accreditation, and academic rigor. They deliver on a promise of getting older students degrees that further their careers.

Bang for the buck

Their comprehensive tuition plan is fantastic! I'm out-of-state, so it'll be around $10,000 for 36 credits in one year. This is easily paid for by subsidized government loans I got through FAFSA. Otherwise, $499 per credit registered is quite expensive in my view. It's almost double the comprehensive tuition plan price. However, this was about the cost I was paying when I went to an on-site public state school (in-state). The difference is that the on-site school included healthcare, housing, and other services.

What to do for fun

The courses I take are online, but the catalog includes fun electives to take, too! Intro to Astronomy, Biology and Behavior of Dogs, and The Music of War and Peace are just some of the courses I'm looking forward to exploring when it comes time to take electives. They seem so interesting and will add diversity to my knowledge!

Academic Rigor

I personally found the online courses at TESU more rigorous than the 4-year public state school I went to in person. For example, the Journalism class I took required going out and interviewing people locally and reporting local stories in both written and video form. We then critiqued our classmates' videos and respond to critiques on our own. This is super scary and lazy students would not do well. It did, however, teach us about putting ourselves out there and taking constructive criticism to improve our journalistic chops.

Tips for prospective students

Do your due diligence! Talk with an advisor about your options, research the different ways to earn credit, and try your hardest in your classes. The mentors are kind and understanding, but don't think you can turn things in late all the time. You'll fall behind and it'll be very difficult to catch up. Also, be sure before you enroll online that you can take course exams either at a local testing center or that you have the right environment at home. You must have a private space with a mirror behind you, and the test proctor must be able to see all entrances and exits while you take your exam.

In three sentences

The mentors are surprisingly involved in their students' online learning. Even though they are called mentors, they do have adequate credentials for professorship, e.g. my physics mentor held a PhD in Physics. Online schooling doesn't equal easy schooling, and TESU is proof of that.

bb from crosswicks, nj

07/06/2016

Reviewer is A past student here.

2 of 16

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

the college is located in a part of trenton that has seen a lot of new development and rehabbing. it's historic, yet modern. as time progresses, i would expect this area to gain more and more residents/businesses/etc.

Clubs and Activities

see above

Great for these types of students

i think that this college's setup and outlook really make it appealing to a lot of people. i personally know current and former military members who have attended this school, as well as hippy-dippy types, homeschool kids, and basically every kind of person you can imagine. the great thing about tesu is that is embraces the past, but it's also thoroughly modern and forward-thinking in how it chooses to address the issues of college affordability and attainability for those who otherwise may be unable to obtain a degree.

Bang for the buck

financially speaking, you really can't beat this school. it is especially affordable if you're a nj resident and you've already completed two years at a nj community college.

Food and Dining

see above

Dorm Life

tesu doesn't currently have dorms as most of the students are involved with some kind of distance learning, but i am giving a high rating for the college's potential. trenton is cleaning up its act in a lot of ways, and the college continues to expand and improve the city. combines with its lightning fast growth over the pat few years, i won't be surprised when tesu starts throwing up some shiny new dorms in the next few years. combined with the easy access to the jersey shore, philly, and nyc via train and highway, trenton would make for a fun place to hunker down for four years.

Academic Rigor

i have no complaints about the academics, and i've found them to be just as or more stringent than where i was last (rutgers).

Tips for prospective students

i recommend studying at a local community college, especially in the state of nj if you're a resident. you will save a lot of money and it will give you the opportunity to experience a little more campus culture than you might be able to get at tesu.

In three sentences

this school represents an affordable and unique way to earn a four-year degree in the state of new jersey. although the campus culture is lacking for obvious reasons, i do feel as though this college has wide appeal and will continue to flourish and grow into the future. i would not be surprised if tesu one day finds itself as one of the largest colleges in the state, in terms of online and in-person students.

Brian from Goffstown, NH

Campus is safe, however, this college has most of its offerings in an online, distance education format.

Great for these types of students

Thomas Edison State College is an outstanding option for motivated, self-directed, independent adult learners. Students who have a broad or extensive life, work and academic background and are well organized tend to thrive in this environment.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Thomas Edison State College has a student award called Arnold Fletcher Award which is given to students who utilize a majority of the course delivery methods. So many course credit must be completed and in a variety of the course delivery methods. Graduates whom have achieved Arnold Fletcher Awards receive a graduation tassel chord and a specialized notation on the studentstranscript.

Bang for the buck

Thomas Edison is an excellent price value. The college is one of the New Jersey College and University System learning institutions. Thomas Edison accepts CLEP and DANTES challenge exams and TECEP Thomas Edison course equivalency testing all which are far less expensive than the online and guided study courses. Thomas Edison also accepts some FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency courses (which are free).

Academic Rigor

Academic Rigor: Academic Rigor is sufficiently robust at Thomas Edison: While students under 25 are allowed to enter Thomas Edison, typically the most successful students come from a variety of cultural and working backgrounds. Each student brings life and work experience which enhance the critical thinking components of the courses at Thomas Edison. While some students put in the minimal effort, most students are serious and demand a more rigorous or robust approach from student colleagues (particularly in the online format classes where discussion forum questions and answers are a required assessed part of the overall student grade. Like any business TESC has both students and faculty who are outstanding and those that put in only minimal effort to pass. The more a student is involved and engaged in a course, the course objective rigors and assignments meet the expectations of those students and employers looking for graduates of an academically rigorous college or university.

Tips for prospective students

Here are several tips for success at Thomas Edison: Thomas Edison is well noted for its many alternative methods of learning, aside from traditional classroom based lecture. Guided Study: Work independently with assistance of a mentor. Online Courses: Work with a mentor and other students through a series of lesson, reading assignments, discussion forum posts. TECEP: Thomas Edison State Course Equivalency Examinations: TECEP's are exams which must be proctored (by an approved proctor) for a variety of courses. The examinations cover the subject matter normally covered in a twelve week semester. Course on thumb Drive: Independent Study with course materials loaded onto a thumb drive. EPACK: EPACK's are independent study with no faculty assigned. Assessment is online with an approved collegiate proctor. CLEP/DANTES: CLEP and DANTES are independent exams taken online at an approved college near your location and on a variety of general education topics. Prior Learning Assessment: This is independent study with an assigned faculty member, in which the student must provide a portfolio validation of previous work and life experience which directly speaks to the course objectives which will be provided to the student. All course delivery methods have an examination assessment with an approved collegiate proctor or testing center with the exception of Prior Learning Assessment. PLA is a portfolio completed by the student and assessed by the course faculty member. The student must provide formal documentation such as; letters from sponsors or educators, supervisors, human resources, video or audio tapes, photos, or other proofs of compliance which must respond to each of the course learning objectives. Many PLA courses also require a narrative essay to support course learning objectives. While CLEP/DANTES and, TECEP course challenge examinations can help the student save quite a bit of money, I recommend blended learning with challenge exams as well as PLA, Guided Study and Online Courses. The benefit of taking Guided Study or Online Courses is that it helps the student to develop his or her writing skills. PLA courses help the student to identify course learning objectives and critically think of how to develop a regimented portfolio of validation to support the claim of prior learning experience. One other tip for students is to utilize the student electronic bulletin board to gain additional insights and helpful strategies to mitigate your educational adventure. Finally: Communicate with your Academic Advisor; discuss course selections, course strategies, and how your curriculum will benefit you in the working world.

In three sentences

Thomas Edison is an excellent college for independent, self-motivated, disciplined adult learners. If this sounds like you, you could really have a very successful academic experience at Thomas Edison.

Paula from Princeton, NJ

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Greek Life

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Clubs and Activities

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Great for these types of students

Adults returning to school after long periods of time since their last education period. Working professionals and/or stay-at-home parents returning to school for a degree or certification.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Bang for the buck

As a New Jersey resident, I receive in-state tuition which is still more affordable than other NJ colleges and universities. They have several tuition option plans to better suit any student's needs.

What to do for fun

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Food and Dining

This is not applicable for me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Dorm Life

This is not applicable to me since I attend university 100% online as a distance learning student.

Academic Rigor

Thomas Edison is dedicated to your success. They will not require you to complete heavy work loads as a working professional, returning adult student. They understand most of their student population have a responsibility to full-time careers, spouses and children at home. But they will not let you fail or fall behind. Their mentors, for the most part, will remain in contact with you and are available via phone or email to answer any questions and help you through the courses.

Tips for prospective students

For prospective students who work full-time, or even part-time, Thomas Edison is the right choice. Their mentors and professors, though required to adhere to school policies, have schedule policies that fit most work schedules' needs. Their advisors will work with you on your best course options. The greatest part is that you do not need to physically attend courses. All courses are available online, at your convenience. They even offer testing online, as well as testing in courses that you may have prior knowledge in.

In three sentences

Thomas Edison State College is a well-suited school for adult students planning on returning to school to obtain their degree. They have a significantly wide selection of degree and certification programs to choose from. They are accommodating, flexible, and understanding of the adult working professionals' scheduling needs.

Cassandra from FPO, AP

Great for military or anyone who needs to complete a degree quickly. The online and guided study options are almost limitless, as long as you don't have a very specific degree.

Bang for the buck

A degree is a degree, and for $250 per a semester hour, that's not bad at all.

Food and Dining

I am an off campus student, so I wouldn't know.

Dorm Life

I don't live on Campus, so I don't know.

Academic Rigor

I feel like the classes are appropriately difficult/easy. The upper level definitely require more work and can be rigorous, but the lower level can often feel like a joke.

Tips for prospective students

Enroll early and make sure you hop on FAFSA and fill out the financial aid application. Enrollment is easy and simple and the degrees are easy enough to understand you don't have to work with an advisor if you don't want to.

In three sentences

A great school for Military looking to complete their degree! Advisors and instructors are easy to work with and very helpful. The school also offers lots of different degree programs.

At $5,000/year, I think I am getting good bang for my buck. Other online colleges, such as University of Phoenix are double that. This college requires work and effort and is worth the money.

What to do for fun

It is an online college.

Food and Dining

No food and dining.

Dorm Life

There is no dorm life.

Academic Rigor

I would rate Thomas Edison's academic rigor as average. There are many written assignments which can be time consuming but not overly difficult. Some exams are more difficult than others, but studying for them is very important.

Tips for prospective students

It is important to not fall behind in your schoolwork because it becomes very difficult to dig yourself out of the hole. If you happen to find yourself behind though, email your mentor and keep him/her up to date on your issue. Most instructors are quite reasonable and lenient because they know adult students have more going on than just schoolwork.

In three sentences

The mentors are reasonable and do not expect the world from their students, however timely completion of the discussion questions and written assignments is required. It is important to keep up with your school work so that you do not fall behind. There is little communication between students however.

This is a great college to finish quickly and efficiently. They give you everything you need to succeed. The professors are very understanding that these courses are on top of the responsibilities of everyday life.

Robert from Frackville, PA

Adult learners, professionals and business people with full schedules.

Bang for the buck

Great value with two enrollment options, based on your planned credit load, time to completion and desired learning options. Also offer very reasonable fees structure for non-New Jersey residents.

What to do for fun

Join student and other support associations.

Food and Dining

NA - Non-resident student

Dorm Life

NA - Non-resident student

Academic Rigor

Thomas Edison State College offers several options for earning credit and completing course work. Explore them all based on your time frame for degree completion, other life priorities, time to be dedicated to studies and applicability to your career.

Tips for prospective students

Include Thomas Edison State College in your planning process, you are eligible for two free credit and past experience evaluations in a six month period before formal application. Call and talk to admissions and the registrar's office for input on your plans, past credits earned and the time frame for current degree program plans.

In three sentences

As an Alum and returning student, it has been a pleasure becoing re-acquainted with a college that offers flexible options for adult learners. Staff and support is professional and timely.

Melissa from Joplin, MO

Anyone looking to transfer a number of classes to a new college or are looking for a place where you can get a total degree online.

Bang for the buck

Competitively priced and the $3,000 enrollment fee is more bearable when it more than makes up for having to repeat numerous classes.

Academic Rigor

All the courses I've taken thus far are challenging and I've learned alot.

Tips for prospective students

Check them out, especially if you are going back to school and have several hours to transfer over or need to transfer somewhere where you can get a total degree online. You have to have patience with their lack of timeliness.

In three sentences

I absolutely love TESC! So many options including Guided Study, Online, TECEP tests, and PLAs plus they accept Straighterline and ALEKS courses as well as individual courses from other colleges. They also took 54 of my 60 credit hours, including a D, from 15 years ago, so I didn't have to retake them all!

Jasmin from Conklin, NY

06/11/2011

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
16 of 16

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

For those interested in distance learning, like me, this is a recommended school because it takes like all of the credits from CLEP and DANTES tests, etc... I plan on working through CollegePlus! and they told me this...

Tips for prospective students

If you are top of the class, you might want to consider a higher school. This college isn't as strict- hence the open admissions.

Bang for the buck

Once again, distance learning students will get the most for the time and money, I think.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.